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Mormons and Racism: Are Mormons Racist?

A few days ago I posted this article to address a few of the hot topics currently being discussed, in the news and online, about Mormon beliefs and practices. And this week, once again, based on a number of news reports circulating on the Internet, I feel the need to discuss the question: Are Mormons racist?

The issue of Mormons and racism is a concern to many modern-day Latter-day Saints who see this as a way to demonize our faith. I would venture to say that if someone were to ask just about any Mormon, that question, they would emphatically respond "no"! However, due to past LDS history that denied the priesthood to Black Mormons until 1978 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and its members, are still considered, by some, racist -- over a quarter century later.

I'm not here to defend or debate that this was part of LDS history. Nor do I have all of the answers as to why this was considered church policy for so long. However I can tell you that, today, Mormons are happy that such a policy is no longer in effect, and are thrilled to know that all blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ are equally available to God's children -- and rightly so.

I became a practicing Mormon in June of 1977, right out of high school -- I was 17 at the time. I knew absolutely nothing about a priesthood ban for Black members of the LDS Church. It was not an issue being discussed at the time. A year later I vividly remember hearing on the radio, while at work, about the revelation that would now give the priesthood to all worthy male members of the LDS Church. I quickly learned how significant this revelation was and I, too, rejoiced for those who had waited patiently for the ban to be lifted! I continue to be humbled when I hear the many stories of faith in the face of what, no doubt, felt wrong to Mormons of African decent.

I have a very cherished memory that left an indelible mark upon my soul. Following the revelation on Blacks and the priesthood, only a few weeks later, I was in the Los Angeles temple -- in preparation to being sealed. Like many first-time temple goers I don't remember a lot. What I do remember, vividly, was a sweet temple worker pulling me aside, and pointing, to make sure I understood and realized that the first Black male (in the Los Angeles temple) was taking out his endowments! She even told me his name,Alan Cherry. I've never forgotten his name, nor will I. The significance of that solemn occasion, as the spirit bore witness to me that it was, has remained with me since.

I, like many others, have spent considerable time over the years researching the origin, doctrine and history of why blacks were restricted from having the priesthood. I've also grappled with the possibility and question: Are Mormons racist? My personal experience would not indicate so, nor would, I believe, the majority of Mormon adults living today. Ours is a very different experience than previous generations.

Racial strife still lifts its ugly head. I am advised that even right here among us there is some of this. I cannot understand how it can be. It seemed to me that we all rejoiced in the 1978 revelation given President Kimball. I was there in the temple at the time that that happened. There was no doubt in my mind or in the minds of my associates that what was revealed was the mind and the will of the Lord.

Now I am told that racial slurs and denigrating remarks are sometimes heard among us. I remind you that no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ. Nor can he consider himself to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church of Christ. How can any man holding the Melchizedek Priesthood arrogantly assume that he is eligible for the priesthood whereas another who lives a righteous life but whose skin is of a different color is ineligible?

Throughout my service as a member of the First Presidency, I have recognized and spoken a number of times on the diversity we see in our society. It is all about us, and we must make an effort to accommodate that diversity.

Let us all recognize that each of us is a son or daughter of our Father in Heaven, who loves all of His children.

Brethren, there is no basis for racial hatred among the priesthood of this Church. If any within the sound of my voice is inclined to indulge in this, then let him go before the Lord and ask for forgiveness and be no more involved in such. (Italics added for emphasis)

In my opinion, this single statement should make it very clear where the LDS Church stands on racism, today. Members, to whom this counsel was directed, that have any supposed reason for such thoughts and feelings are told that they have "no basis" for such. Personally, I take that to mean doctrine as well.

UPDATE 2/29/12: From the LDS Newsroom - Official Statement from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

The Church and Race: All Are Alike Unto God

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. The Book of Mormon states, “black and white, bond and free, male and female; … all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33). This is the Church’s official teaching.

People of all races have always been welcomed and baptized into the Church since its beginning. In fact, by the end of his life in 1844 Joseph Smith, the founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opposed slavery. During this time some black males were ordained to the priesthood. At some point the Church stopped ordaining male members of African descent, although there were a few exceptions. It is not known precisely why, how or when this restriction began in the Church, but it has ended. Church leaders sought divine guidance regarding the issue and more than three decades ago extended the priesthood to all worthy male members. The Church immediately began ordaining members to priesthood offices wherever they attended throughout the world.

The Church unequivocally condemns racism, including any and all past racism by individuals both inside and outside the Church. In 2006, then Church president Gordon B. Hinckley declared that “no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ. Nor can he consider himself to be in harmony with the teachings of the Church. Let us all recognize that each of us is a son or daughter of our Father in Heaven, who loves all of His children.”

Recently, the Church has also made the following statement on this subject:

“The origins of priesthood availability are not entirely clear. Some explanations with respect to this matter were made in the absence of direct revelation and references to these explanations are sometimes cited in publications. These previous personal statements do not represent Church doctrine.”"

Source: LDS NewsroomThe Church issued the following statement today in response to news media

"The positions attributed to BYU professor Randy Bott in a recent Washington Post article absolutely do not represent the teachings and doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU faculty members do not speak for the Church. It is unfortunate that the Church was not given a chance to respond to what others said.

The Church’s position is clear—we believe all people are God’s children and are equal in His eyes and in the Church. We do not tolerate racism in any form.

For a time in the Church there was a restriction on the priesthood for male members of African descent. It is not known precisely why, how, or when this restriction began in the Church but what is clear is that it ended decades ago. Some have attempted to explain the reason for this restriction but these attempts should be viewed as speculation and opinion, not doctrine. The Church is not bound by speculation or opinions given with limited understanding.

We condemn racism, including any and all past racism by individuals both inside and outside the Church."

(I'm not even going to try and commentate on these statements. I think it is clarification enough of where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and its members, stand on the issue of racism and Blacks and the priesthood.)

Nobody Knows: The Untold Story of Black Mormons is an independent documentary that I would highly recommend to anyone sincerely interested in gaining a better understanding as to why the Priesthood was, for a period of time, withheld from Black members of the LDS Church. The documentary does an excellent job of giving the known facts and putting them into a cultural perspective.

The Documentary Channel owns the rights to this film and currently shows it about once a month. You can also "Watch it Now" online. The option to purchase the DVD is also available.

"This documentary talks about that little-known legacy, and confronts the hard issues which surfaced in the most turbulent years of the Civil Rights Movement, when the Church restricted its priesthood from those of African descent. It discusses how that restriction was lifted and what the lives and challenges of the modern Black Mormon pioneers are. Besides never-released footage shot in 1968 and many rare archival photographs, the documentary includes interviews with renowned scholars, historians, Black Mormons, with Martin Luther King III, and with Dr. Cecil "Chip" Murray, retired pastor of the First AME Church of Los Angeles, which was founded by a former slave of Mormon pioneers."

Again, I encourage all who want to understand this period of LDS Church history to take the hour and watch this film. For me, it really brought everything I have studied, and portions that I found difficult to make sense of, together -- of which I am very grateful.

Update 2/6/12:

An anonymous commenter on this post recommended another documentary that we might also be interested in watching: Pioneers of Africa -- so I did, and highly recommend it as well. You can view it online at HERE.

"Share the vibrant testimonies and experiences of African Saints as well as those of LDS Church leaders who have worked among these faithful members." BYUtv

"Pioneers of Africa is inspiring and unique. Thousands of Africans were converted to the gospel, then waited up to twenty years before they could be baptized following the revelation on the priesthood in 1978. Their story is told by some of the pioneers, by President Gordon B. Hinckley and many other General Authorities, and by Professor E. Dale LeBaron who has collected over 700 oral histories from African pioneers. This is truly a unique and inspiring chapter in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

I feel inclined to share with you my testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I firmly believe that the LDS Church is His organization here upon the earth to administer saving ordinances, such as authorized baptism, necessary for our salvation. I also have a testimony of living prophets of God, who I believe to be good and inspired men that have no other intention than to lead us to Jesus Christ and enable our safe return to our Heavenly Father. I love the scriptures. I love the Book of Mormon and feel the power of its truth as I study and prayer over its teachings. My experience with the Book of Mormon clearly justifies my belief that Joseph Smith is truly a prophet of God. I am so grateful for that witness of the Spirit and how that confirmation, daily, continues to strengthen my testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and its mission here upon the earth at this time.

tDMg
Kathryn Skaggs

Note: For those who would like to study the LDS history of Blacks and the priesthood I've provided, what I believe, are some of the very best online resources available.

LDS Newsroom - "Video created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' (Mormon) action in June 1978 to extend its lay priesthood to men of all races."

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes incorrectly called the "Mormon Church") has been accused of racism for its past policies that limited access to its priesthood ranks. This page explores the complex history of race issues in the Church, where the blessings of membership have been open to people of all races from the beginning, in spite of a confusing past restriction on the priesthood that was done away 1978. This is one of several pages in a suite of "Frequently Asked Questions about Latter-day Saint Beliefs." This work is solely the responsibility of Jeff Lindsay and has not been officially endorsed by the Church. While I strive to be accurate, my writings reflect my personal understanding and are subject to human error and bias."

"This site celebrates the contributions of Blacks to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and to their communities. Latter-day Saints are also known as Mormons due to their belief in the Book of Mormon in addition to the Bible.

We hope to correct racial myths and misunderstandings that linger from critics of Mormonism as well as from Latter-day Saints themselves. We strive to build the Gospel vision that we are all children of God, of great and equal worth in His sight."

"The origin of the priesthood ban is one of the most difficult questions to answer. Its origins are not clear, and this affected both how members and leaders have seen the ban, and the steps necessary to rescind it. The Church has never provided an official reason for the ban."

Mormon.org
Are there restrictions based on race or color concerning who can join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have the priesthood?

"An award-winning documentary about African American Latter-day Saints. The project is headed by Margaret Blair Young and Darius Aidan Gray, authors of three books and many scholarly articles about Black Mormons.

Editor James B. Hughes spent the last years of his life working on this film, and often donated his services because of his passion for the project. He died of brain cancer in 2011. Danor Gerald also edited the film, and appears in it. Interviews were conducted and filmed by Richard Dutcher, Alex Nibley, and Scott Freebairn.

Few people, Mormon and non-Mormon, are aware that there has been an African American presence in the LDS Church from its earliest days, that the vanguard company of Mormon pioneers included three “colored servants” (slaves), and that subsequent pioneer companies included both freeborn Blacks (such as Jane Manning and Isaac James) and enslaved Blacks, such as Biddy Smith Mason and Elizabeth Flake. This documentary talks about that little-known legacy, and confronts the hard issues which surfaced in the most turbulent years of the Civil Rights Movement, when the Church continued to restrict its priesthood from those of African descent (a policy put into place in 1852). It discusses the context for that restriction, and how it was finally lifted. It also addresses the challenges of modern Black Mormon pioneers."

Comments

Hi, well-behaved Mormon Girl! Thanks so much for recommending our film. (I was alerted to your blog by a friend. Do I know you? If so, shoot me an email.) The online version is the 56:40 one. The one the Doc Channel and our website sell is 72 minutes, with 100 minutes of special features. Obviously, I recommend watching all 172 minutes.This issue won't go away. We are in a very long Mormon moment. Thank you for writing this. In the long version of the DVD, Allen Cherry talks about his experience as a Black Latter-day Saint. In special features, we have footage of him as a young BYU student in 1968. Last year, his beautiful daughter, Bethany, was the understudy for the role of Black Mormon pioneer Jane James and portrayed Jane's mother in my play _I Am Jane).

Thank you so much for sharing that information. It is a marvelous documentary filled with the spirit! I was deeply moved by the stories and history -- and how the film brings everything together in such an understandable way. It makes so much sense that this would have happened in the church during that time and remarkable how ultimately the priesthood ban was lifted. Truly and inspirational story that members when they come to understand will find miraculous! My love and admiration for our members of African decent has increased tremendously! What an example of faith!

I'm definitely going to need to see the entire DVD. I'd love to hear more about Alan Cherry and his story. I was thrilled to find that he has a page on Wikipedia. What a faithful man!

Someting we were talking about in our family the other night....Take any active member of the L.D.S. church, or any inactive member who grew up in the church, or any former member of the church, and ask them if they EVER heard any kind of disparaging kind of remark toward any person of another race...and they will have to tell you they have not. It just doesn't happen. We don't feel that way--we are all taught to love and respect one another, that God is no respecter of persons....

I have never, in all my years, heard any kind of racial comments within the sunday school classes or in our Sunday services. Nor have I ever heard any negative comments about our friends of other faiths.

That's a wonderful report! You and I have both had very positive experiences with not seeing racism in the church. I wish I could transfer some of the comments/conversations, around the Internet, where I have posted this article. Not everyone agrees with our experience, although admit that it's only a small minority. That would better explain President Hinckley's need to reprimand in above statement. Let's both pray that negative incidences of racism continue to diminish as we move forward.

This is not even remotely true. I have lived in many locations (california, utah, new york) and served a mission in boston and in every location I experienced a heavy amount of discrimination and racial remarks by members of the church. Granted in almost every case they were based on people who were from utah originally and I think that is part of the problem. When I lived in utah I had never before met a more racist or bigoted group of people in my life. I was there when President Obama won the election and we had lessons about why having a black man as president was against god's will. In California the leadership of our ward banned mexicans from praying in the ward because they were not white. While on my mission in Boston I was placed in the Haitian Creole program to replace an elder who was called in that language, but couldn't do it because he couldn't support allowing black people in the church.

In most cases these are people and not necessarily leaders but in most cases it was condoned by the leadership.

I so wish I could agree with Pedaling, but I still think members of our church have some work to do. I can't think of a ward I've been in where I haven't heard, if not a racist comment, than at least disparaging ones. Plus, there is still so much misunderstanding concerning the pre-1978 priesthood POLICY (it was never doctrine) and a lot of resistance to addressing it. For example, I suggested an Enrichment activity where we watched the Nobody Knows video. My husband and I had gone to a screening of it when it first came out and were so touched that we bought it as soon as we could. I thought it would be a great tool for people to better understand and explain the priesthood ban. Unfortunately, some on the Enrichment board didn't see a need for such an activity. I think it's wonderful that you've posted this video and I hope people will watch it and share it with others. We need to quit ignoring this issue.

I would never say that Mormons are perfect in this area, but I do believe that the majority of members sincerely are trying to become more Christlike -- and would not consider themselves racist. I'm a firm believer in the more we understand a principle, doctrine, etc... the greater the ability to incorporate it into our lives.

I too hope that more people interested in understanding this issue will watch Nobody Knows. It's an excellent documentary.

"The attitude of the Church with reference to Negroes remains as it has always stood. It is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct commandment from the Lord, on which is founded the doctrine of the Church from the days of its organization, to the effect that Negroes may become members of the Church but that they are not entitled to the priesthood at the present time." -- Statement of First Presidency, 17 August 1949.

It was clearly *NOT* POLICY -- They clearly declared it to be Doctrine.

The fact that Joseph Smith before his death in 1844, ordained Elijah Abel, a black man, to the priesthood, leaves a huge gap of understanding as to what happened between his death and the First Presidency statement of 1949.

The current, "official", position of the LDS Church as just stated on 2/29/12:

"For a time in the Church there was a restriction on the priesthood for male members of African descent. It is not known precisely why, how, or when this restriction began in the Church but what is clear is that it ended decades ago. Some have attempted to explain the reason for this restriction but these attempts should be viewed as speculation and opinion, not doctrine. The Church is not bound by speculation or opinions given with limited understanding."

IMO, the point is, since the Church has only limited information themselves, due to lack of documented history, it is not bound to accept that which it cannot verify -- meaning all of us are left to then speculate and the bottom line: We don't know why. Period.

Thank heaven for modern-day prophets that guide us in how to move forward and not get caught up in the past.

I think Brittany makes a very good point when she says, " the pre-1978 priesthood POLICY (it was never doctrine)"

In the Church we have a big problem with people mixing up doctrine, policy, and culture. They are three very distinct categories, often (but not always) with some overlap (the culture of bringing casseroles to new moms coincides with the policy of visiting teaching/compassionate service committees, which are formed based on the doctrine of service and charity).

I was really disturbed when I heard a therapist talk about the ban on blacks having the Priesthood - he seemed to think that it really was doctrine. He seemed to think that there was some doctrine somewhere that says that black people are "cursed" (this is a widespread belief - and an incorrect one). He even talked about some of the prophets making comments as to such.

The thing is - just because a prophet speaks does not mean he is speaking prophetically. Some things that prophets say are their personal opinions (and in the early days of the Church, the leaders of the Church were a lot less careful about making sure they didn't make their opinions too public - these days, I think the leaders of the Church understand that if they make their opinion too public, members of the Church will take it for doctrine, even though it never was).

I agree with you, WBMW - most members of the Church (even the erroneous therapist I mentioned) I believe are doing their best to become more Christlike.

I am excited to watch the documentary! I am going to see if they have the DVD at our library. Maybe we'll invite a group of people over to watch it. :)

"A man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge, for if he does not get knowledge, he will be brought into captivity by some evil power in the other world, as evil spirits will have more knowledge, and consequently more power than many men who are on the earth. Hence it needs revelation to assist us, and give us knowledge of the things of God." (History of the Church, 5:588.)

I think this teaching is important on so many levels:

- Truth comes by the Spirit.- We need truth if we are to be saved.- Truth is power.- Truth enable us to not be deceived by untruth.- Truth leads us to God's knowledge.

So, you make some great points about different kinds of truth that are very important to distinguish. As members of the Church we are to seek for the truths that lead us to Jesus Christ. All others, as interesting as they may be, are simply peripheral. In my opinion, if we focus on the principles taught here by JS it will guide us in determining what is and is not doctrine.

I'd love to hear what you think about the film after you watch it. : )

There is racism, and then there is racism. Racism used to look like chattel slavery, then it looked like Jim Crow, poverty and powerlessness with hoods and sheets. The racism we have today is much more subtle, and easily to be misread from innocuous comments. What we have still needs addressing and elimination.

A friend of mine (who has my copy of Nobody Knows) told me of a conversation he overheard in the foyer at Church, when someone, clearly speaking of him said "I think they lifted the priesthood ban a little too soon." This was five years ago. And I don't doubt you can find someone who believes in the seed-of-Cain and less-valiant theories in every ward (at least one).

(Nice to see Margaret and Kathryn getting together. Two of my very favorite people!)

Excellent points Blain! We do need to continue to stand against racism, and particular in its most subtle forms. I think of humor as one example.

I must confess... I asked someone close to me just yesterday, out of curiosity, to share with me what they understod the reason was for the ban on priesthood for black Mormons. I was surprised to find that in the speculation the "curse of cain" possibility was brought up. Sigh... So, you're right, it's still there. We have a long way to go, but I think we are heading in the right direction.

I was thrilled Margaret dropped in. I so admire her work in this area. How cool that you know her, too!

There is another video that you need to see, It was produced by BYU I think, but anyway it is call the pioneers of Africa. Very well done and It explained some of the things that we happening in the church and in Africa at the same time that the revelation came. Here is the link to buy a copy of it.

When I served a mission in Georgia & South Carolina back in 1973/75 we were told that we could not teach the gosple to Black People unless we got permission from the Mission President and he had to receive authorization from the mission leaders in Salt Lake? If anyone from the Black race back then, wanted to read the Book of Mormon we could not go back and ask them what they thought about it? They would have to hunt us down or someone in the church and then get the required permission to be taught the gosple. I feel that we as a people have come along way - even since the early 70's. The lord can only work his miracles through us when are hearts and minds have been changed. We hold are selves back when we are not ready to receive the spirt and the blessings that come from that. Joseph Smith taught us correct principles to live by but it's up to us to be ready to receive the blessings from living them. If Joseph Smith gave the Priestood to Blacks in the early days of the church but that all changed when ariving in Utah - then Brigham Young as well as others changed that because people back then were not ready to allow them to have it. Even David O. McKay could not find any doctrine that would prevent the Blacks from receiving the Priestood. The Lord told his Apostles before leaving the earth that they were to go out in the world and baptise the the people of all Nations of the known world at that time to be baptised in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. He was no respector to persons - and he didn't say "But don't go way of people with dark or black skin". This ushered in the time of the Gentiles and if this now allowed us to become potential recipients of the blessings of Israel due to what the Savior Jesus Christ had completed we all could receive the blessings from God. We have to remember that we as Gentiles were all cursed from the Priestood due to our own past and that we were not born under the covenant of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob. That blessing would later come to all people if they were worthy through Jesus Christ.

Thank you for sharing your personal experience and for making such excellent points about the history of Black Mormons in the LDS Church -- as well as our own. I do agree that the Lord will not insist on what is right until those who profess to follow Him are ready to receive direction. Clearly this is what happened with Blacks and the priesthood and of course is due to the weakness of man -- of which none of us escape.

I'm late in commenting, but I just followed a link to this blog entry. I'd like to add another wonderful resource on the subject: "Last Laborer: Thoughts & Reflections of a Black Mormon". The author's personal insights are remarkable and humbling.

Since I initially wrote this post, I've learned more about that history. I'm sorry for the racism you've experienced. As President Hinckley expressed, there's simply no excuse or justification for it. I appreciate that we are able to see that racism is no longer about groups, but in individuals though. As I agree, Mormons as a people are good. There will always be individuals, of our faith, who have catching up to do, in living the tenets of what we profess to believe.

I came from Africa when I was 18 years old.As me myself I was a victim of racial comments one day at the Mormon church by one of the institute teacher telling me and one of the African American that we were the descendants of Cain and that we were cursed.From that day He never come to the church any more expect me. But sometimes I feel uncomfortable and unwelcome by her comments. It completely diminished my faith. I want to thanks president Gordon B. Hinckley publicly condemning such thing at the general conference."I remind you that no man who makes disparaging remarks concerning those of another race can consider himself a true disciple of Christ. Your article is really helpful

I, too, am grateful for President Hinckley's bold stand against racism within the Church -- and in particular, on your behalf. I pray that you will never again, experience such ignorance, by anyone claiming to be a member of the LDS Church.

ok sorry it worked now. My question is, would you tend to think any differently if Mormonizm was a race instead of a church? or maybe if you considered for a moment that the mormon church is a race of people with the same certainty of belief, therefore the color of a person's skin wouldn't be relevant to whether or not you concieve of a form of racism that would naturally exist in any people who know they are hard disciplined believers?

Personally I believe racism falls out of favor and becomes unspoken but never really goes away. I was reminded of this when a co-work's kids remarked at his fathers work in Haiti as helping the "cursed" people, my co-worker looked surprise but unapologetic, as if he were thinking "at least he knows where I stand". I've attended worship with this particular person for years and I never would have thought them to have racist ideology. Martin Luther King Jr. said the most segregated time in America is during Church, I hate to say that many people prefer it that way.